Seven-year veteran receivers Jimmy Williams and Tim Carter were each added this week, along with receiver Mark Simmons and tight end Ryan Krause.

Williams joined the Texans for mini-camp two weeks ago on a tryout basis. Carter participated in practice for the first time Thursday.

"I think that's the first thing you think about is the experience," Smith said. "They are guys who understand the game, know how we work. I think they are still good football players. In the case of Tim — with (Ryan) Grice-Mullen and Andre (Johnson) nursing a couple of injuries — we needed a couple of more players. And I think he's a guy who can really compete with our group.

I remember him, but only because I got two signatures on one of my Texans hardhats at last year's All Access. Roc's and Mario Williams, who was sitting with him. (My buddy has already removed Roc's sig from his hardhat!)

I think it's CND's 'warm body' take with Tim Carter, too.

__________________"Football is only a diversion." ~ Houston Texans, Inc.

Maybe none of them make the team in the end but how will they know that they have the best 11 out there if they don't take chances on these guys. AD wasn't exactly highly thought of as a WR coming of that season with the Bills.

I don't know the Williams guy, but Tim Carter has been a decent WR, although not what a 2nd rounder should be probably. Didn't he play for the Giants though or have I got the wrong guy?

You've got the right guy, but the label of a "decent" WR may be stretching it.

Back in college, he had some spectacular returns on special teams for Auburn. But the Giants and Browns don't seem to have used him as such.
Who knows if they don't want to see what he can do in that capacity.
Check out this video of his return against LSU.

My guess is that he is a camp guy. They need someone to do runbacks on punts and kickoffs practice without running down JJ & AD with that duty. If he shows really, really well doing it, he might make the team. I doubt it, but you never know if he does great and they want to take some load off of JJ and/or AD during the season. Plus, he gives another speed guy to throw to and for the DBs to work against during TC.

My guess is that he is a camp guy. They need someone to do runbacks on punts and kickoffs practice without running down JJ & AD with that duty. If he shows really, really well doing it, he might make the team. I doubt it, but you never know if he does great and they want to take some load off of JJ and/or AD during the season. Plus, he gives another speed guy to throw to and for the DBs to work against during TC.